Tammy Tibbetts

Tammy Tibbetts-President/Founder of She’s the First

What does your job as President of She’s the First entail?

As a small but mighty staff of four, we all wear so many hats in our roles at She’s the First​. I spend most of my time on our business, communications, and strategy side, as well as on our grassroots campaigns, like the Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off which is happening this month! I’d love for you all to be part of it. To #BakeAChange, all you do is sign up to have a bake sale some time between October 11 (International Day of the Girl) and November 1st (the birthday of She’s the First). Go to shesthefirst.org/cupcakes!

What inspired you to become an advocate for girls’ education?

​I had a great public school and public college education​ ​and I even received a scholarship along the way from GLAMOUR magazine to help with tuition. I’m so grateful for that. When I learned that 62 million girls are out of school around the world, I wanted to be part of fixing that. We can truly be the generation that eradicates extreme poverty and makes education equality a reality. How can we miss that opportunity?

What are the most important skills a social entrepreneur must possess?You need to be able to build a rockstar team of people who have talents and strengths that you don’t and you have to pour your heart into it. You’ve got to listen to the needs and ideas around you and not assume you know all the answers. You can’t get discouraged by the nos because there are a lot of them. You have to keep persisting for that one yes that opens the door.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

​My first boss said once, “Don’t let perfection get in the way of better,” and that remains a mantra that I repeat to myself at least once a week!

How can girls support She’s the First?

​It would be so cool if you took action right now and signed up to host a bake sale! Aside from that, I’d love if you connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@shesthefirst) and checked out all these other ways to get involved: http://shesthefirst.org/take-action.

Thank you for all the questions you sent in to ask me – if I didn’t answer yours, you can always tweet me at @tammytibbetts.